Teaching Assistants

Imantas Bernotas is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science. He is also the Political Science Graduate Student Association President. He researches comparative and American politics, focusing on elections, electoral institutions, campaign finance, election laws, game theory, media framing, and content analysis. Imantas received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. After receiving his degree, he taught English in Columbia for a year, followed by a year working as a project manager for the Lithuanian government focusing on social policy and cyber security. After graduating at the University of Houston, Imantas intends to work in the private or public sector as a research analyst.

Rebecca Cardone is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying International Relations. Specifically, she will focus on global governance, human rights, and sustainable development. She graduated from California Lutheran University with a double-major in Political Science and Global studies and a double-minor in Philosophy and Religion. She later got her Masters of Studies in Women’s Studies from the University of Oxford, where her dissertation was on eradicating gender-based violence through realms of the rule of law in a post-conflict state.

CJ Fleck is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying American Political Thought. Specifically, he is interested in the Federalist Papers and state and local government and politics. He received a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from Sacred Heart University, and a M.A. in Political Science from Villanova University.

Burak Giray is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying comparative politics and international relations. He is specifically interested in Political Economy, International Organizations, and inequality. Burak speaks Turkish and Spanish as well as English. He received a B.A. in Translation and Interpreting Studies and a B.S in Political Science and International Relations from Cankaya University in Turkey.

Sarah Halley is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying comparative politics and public policy. Specifically, she is interested in education policy in Western Europe. Sarah received her B.A. in English and Political Science from Texas A&M University, and is interested in going into academia long-term.

Tom Hanna is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying international relations and comparative Politics. His specific research interests are international political economy, particularly the intersection of domestic politics, economic policy, and international relations. He received a B.S. in political science and economics from the University of Houston.

Henrietta MacPepple is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying International Relations and Comparative Politics. Her specific interests are in international political economy, foreign investment and African politics. She received her BA in Business Management and Marketing from Seton Hall University and her MBA from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Kasia Hinkson is a Ph.D. Student and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Political Science, as well as the Political Science Graduate Student Association Vice President for the 2017-2018 year. She is studying political theory and statistical methodology. Outside of the department, she is heavily involved with the LGBTQ Resource Center on campus, working as a Mentor, speaking in panels, and leading discussion groups. While new to the department and to political science in general, Kasia is excited to begin working on bringing queer theory into conversation with political theory and quantifying it for the purpose of developing effective and efficient policy. She received a B.A. in History from Southern New Hampshire University before enrolling at the University of Houston.

Paul Johnson is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying comparative politics. Specifically, Paul is interested in poverty and inequality, development, and Mexican politics. He received a B.A. in Politics from the University of Sussex and a MSc in Global Politics from the University of Southampton.

Samad Karimov is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying international relations and comparative politics. Specifically, he is interested in conflict resolution processes, peace studies, and the European Union. He received a B.S. in International Relations from Anadolu University in Turkey, and a B.A. in Translation and Interpreting from Istanbul University, also in Turkey. He received a M.A. in EU Politics and International Relations from Marmara University in Turkey.

Yongkwang Kim is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Houston, Department of Political Science. His interests include political psychology, public opinion, and experimental design. His current research examines causes and consequences of misperceptions.

Haimo Li is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science, studying political theory. Li holds a B.A. in History from Sun Yat-sen University, an M.A. in Historical Geography from Fudan University, and an M.A. in Politics from New York University. His academic interest lies in American Political Thought and Contemporary Democratic Theory. Haimo’s reading focuses on the writings of James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. His other research interests include political representation, Constitutionalism and Modern China political and legal history.

Yu-Ceng (Calvin) Liao is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science studying comparative politics. His research focus includes comparative legislature and legislative behavior, comparative elections, democratization, Asian politics, and public opinion. Yu-Ceng received a B.E. from the Department of Education Policy and Administration and a B.A. from the Department of Public Policy and Administration at the National Chi Nan University in Taiwan. He received a M.A. from the Department of Political Science at the National Chengchi University, also in Taiwan.

Jack McDonald is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science. He is a Political Theory major with a minor in American Politics. His interests include the contrast between the ancients and moderns, Existentialism and its influence on the modern world, and the Liberal-Communitarian Debate. His current research examines prominent responses to moral relativism and what these responses mean for natural rights. Originally from Natick, MA, Jack has outside interests in corporate finance as well as linguistics. Jack graduated with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin.

Doug Murdoch is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying American politics. Specifically, he is interested in spatial models, political communication, public economics, representation, and legislative behavior. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Friends University and a M.A. in Political Science from the University of Louisville.

Rita Naoum is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying international relations and comparative politics. She is specifically interested in foreign policy. Rita received a B.A. in Journalism and a M.A. in International Relations both from the Labenese American University.

Naomi Nashell Nubin-Sellers is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science, as well as a 2018-2019 APSA Minority Fellow. Her research interests are in the fields of American politics and public policy, with an emphasis on incorporating intersectionality into our current understanding of the political process, class and racial inequality, and minority political behavior. Naomi is currently researching how intersectionality affects support or lack thereof for redistributive policies. She earned a BS in administration of justice and political science and an MPA, both from Texas Southern University, where she also worked as a research assistant.

Adam Ozer is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science, studying American politics and statistical methods. He is specifically interested in political behavior, political psychology, and experimental methods. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Susquehanna University and a M.A. in Political Science from SUNY Stonybrook.

Yuyang Pu is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science, studying comparative politics and international relations. His research focus includes political institutions and political reforms, specifically in authoritarian regimes. He received his B.A. from the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China. He received his M.A. from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

April Rumgay is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political science, studying comparative politics. Specifically, she is interested in human development, Latino politics, and women. Her current research examines human development along the U.S.-Mexico border. What she finds most interesting are the civic engagement and leadership components. April has a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Politics and a minor in Linguistics, as well as a M.A. in Political Science, both from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Anna Marisa Schoen is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science, studying political theory. She is particularly interested in medieval thought and nationalism, studying the concept of nationhood and the nation-state relation in the history of political thought. Her other academic interests include cultural pluralism and the private-public. Anna Marisa has a B.A. in Liberal Arts (philosophy, history, literature) from the University of Tilburg (Netherlands) and a M.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston. She hopes to remain in academia and teach.

Brian Sullivan is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science, studying American political behavior and Political Theory. He is particularly interested in exploring the repercussions of political and societal alienation on both individuals and groups. Brian received B.A.s in Political Science and Philosophy from William Paterson University and a M.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Political Psychology and Public Behavior from SUNY Stonybrook.

Huseyin Tunc is a PhD Student in the Department of Political Science with research interests in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. He is specifically interested in territorial conflict, state building and democratization. He received a BA in International Relations from the Middle East Technical University, Turkey and a MA in Conflict Resolution from Columbia University, USA. Some of his research has appeared on Columbia Journal of International Affairs, Center for Policy and Research on Turkey (Research Turkey), Political Violence at a Glance, Foreign Policy Association, and Kurdish Question.

Jamie Wright is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science, studying comparative politics and American politics. Her particular interests are comparative elections and political parties in Western Europe, populism and the radical right, politics and media, and East African politics, specifically presidential leadership. Jamie received a B.A. in Political Science and History from Centenary College of Louisiana and a M.A. in Political Science from University of West Florida.

Li Zheng is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science studying international relations, comparative politics (specifically authoritarian regimes), and public policy (specifically income inequality). He received a LL. B. from Nankai University in Tianjin, China, and a MA in Public Policy from Georgia State University.

Hui Zhou is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science studying comparative politics and policy. Specifically, he is interested in applying complex policy and analytic tools to Chinese policies (such as health care reform) that have been borrowed from other developed nations. He finds the ways that the market and government can differ in promoting a better life for humans fascinating, and believes Chinese policy has not been studied analytically and evaluated the way it needs to be in order to be successful. Even more interesting is the comparison of similar policies in different countries with different institutions, such as health care in China and the United States. He has received a B.A. in International Economy and Trade from the Jianghan University in China, and a M.A. in Public Administration from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou.